In tomorrow’s quarterfinal of the ROMSTAL European Mixed Doubles Championships SAMARA and FILIMON will meet BAYBULDIN and BYKOVA, BACIOCCHI and PICCOLIN will play against PISTEJ and BALAZOVA, GAVLAS and STRBIKOVA will play against MUNTEANU and HIRICI and OBESLO and MATELOVA will meet SZOCS and POSTOACA.

Champions Elizabeta SAMARA and Andrei FILIMON of Romania booked their place in the quarterfinal of the ROMSTAL European Mixed Doubles Championships. In Group A, however, there was some surprises. Zoltane PETE and Aleksandra RADONJIC of Serbia failed to justify their rankings and in direct duel for the second position lost their match against Lucian MUNTEANU and Cristina HIRICI of Romania. Huseyin DURMAZ and Damla UZEL of Turkey finished the day at the position no. four.

Hunor SZOCS and Camelia POSTOACA of Romania emerged as a Group winners, whist favorites Pavel PLATONOV and Alexandra PRIVALOVA of Belarus failed to reach the quarters. Andrey BAYBULDIN and Mariia BYKOVA of Russia progressed further from position no. two.

Lubomir PISTEJ and Barbora BALAZOVA justified their rankings and preserved top position in Group C unbeaten in four rounds. Constantin CIOTI and Iulia NECULA of Romania failed to do the same and Michal OBESLO and Hana MATELOVA of Czech Republic secured their place in quarters. They lost only against PISTEJ and BALAZOVA.

Alessandro BACIOCCHI and Giorgia PICCOLIN of Italy did not expect they will reach second position in the Group and place in the quarterfinal, but it was not the only upset in Group D. Top seeds Ovidiu IONESCU and European junior champion Bernadette SZOCS lost their duel against Italian pairings for the place in quarters in the last round. Antonin GAVLAS and Renata STRBIKOVA of Czech Republic took full advantage of that situation and finished the day on spot no. one.

Andrey BAYBULDIN and Mariia BYKOVA of Russia were the biggest surprise at the opening day of the ROMSTAL European Mixed Doubles Championships in Buzau. They overcame Montenegro’s Irfan CEKIC and Ivana DALOVIC and top seeds in group B, great favorites Pavel PLATONOV and Alexandra PRIVALOVA of Belarus.

BAYBULDIN and BYKOVA continued in the same style today by overcoming Safa AVCI and Sanem Ezgi SAHIN of Turkey after thrilling five games duel, that concluded with 15:13 in decisive game. “I must say that we surprised even ourselves here. I have so much trouble coming in Buzau and I did not expect that we will play that good,” said BYKOVA.

The pairings are here without a coach, which made surprise even bigger. PLATONOV is currently ranked at position no. 156, whilst PRIVALOVA is placed at 123 position in the World rankings, whilst both Russia’s players are well above position no. 300. BAYBULDIN is no. 392 and BYKOVA no. 307.“I played aggressive, whilst Mariia showed steady performance,” explained 26 years old BAYBULDIN.

However, Mariia already proved as successful mixed double player. Last year with Denis GAVRILOV she won the title in Russia. “He is also left hander.”

In Russia’s Premiere league Andrey BAYBULDIN is playing for UFA, whilst Mariia BYKOVA is in Vladimir.

Champions in two previous occasions, Romania’s Elizabeta SAMARA and Andrei FILIMON successfully started their journey at the ROMSTAL European Mixed Doubles Championships. At the Event that started today in Buzau, top seeds faced no pressure in their duel against compatriots Lucian MUNTEANU and Cristina HIRICI.

In the same, Group A, Zoltan PETE and Aleksandra RADONJIC overcame Huseyin DURMAZ and Damla UZEL of Turkey, who lost against MUNTEANU and HIRICI as well.

Andrey BAYBULDIN and Mariia BYKOVA of Russia added the dose of suspense in almost clear run of favorites in all other groups. In Group B, Russia’s pairings exceeded the ratings and secured the top position at the end of the day. They succeeded in both rounds, and lost only game. BAYBULDIN and BYKOVA overcame Montenegro’s Irfan CEKIC and Ivana DALOVIC, despite the fact that CEKIC is in good shape, after he won the title in Luxembourg at the Small States Games. They also beat Pavel PLATONOV and Alexandra PRIVALOVA of Belarus the top seeds in the Group B. Belarus duo overcame Turkey’s Safa AVCI and Sanem Ezgi SAHIN. Hunor SZOCS and Camelia POSTOACA of Romania accounted for Turkish mixed double and they overcame Montenegro’s representatives.

Lubomir PISTEJ and Barbora BALAZOVA of Slovakia left Serbia’s Uros GORDIC and Marija GALONJA without game, and lost one against Michal OBESLO and Hana MATELOVA of Czech Republic, but without being seriously threatened. Constantin CIOTI and Iulia NECULA of Romania followed their path. They beat GORDIC and GALONJA and succeeded against Gençay MENGE and Ipek KARAHAN of Turkey. OBESLO and MATELOVA also accounted for Turkey’s pairings.

In Group D favorites cruised through two opening rounds. Ovidiu IONESCU and European junior champion Bernadette SZOCS showed no mercy in the duels against Russia’s pairings Maxim EFROYKIN and Anastasia GOLUBEVA. They also left Belarus duo BARABANOV and Katsiaryna BARAVOK without hope. We are all looking forward tomorrow’s duel in between IONESCU and SZOCS and Antonin GAVLAS and Renata STRBIKOVA. Czech duo is also unbeaten and so far they lost had not only single game. Alessandro BACIOCCHI and Giorgia PICCOLIN of Italy and EFROYKIN and GOLUBEVA suffered by their hands.

Romania again took hard challenge to organize ROMSTAL European Mixed Doubles Championships in Buzau. Not because agile organizers have lack or skills, or any other problem with the organizing aspect, but in reason that this event was unfairly tucked away to the margins in Europe.

“Most of the time I spend explaining the importance of this Event. And I had to do it despite the fact that the ITTF submitted a proposal to the International Olympic Committee to add a mixed doubles medal to the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic program. If it is good enough for Olympics, why should we abound it here in Europe. It is great opportunity for nations at Old Continent to gain the medal. There is no reason to throw away that opportunity” explained PR and Marketing Manager Beatrice ROMANESCU Nine countries with 19 pairings accepted the challenge this year. Belarus, Czech Republic, Italy, Montenegro, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia and Turkey will fight for title at the Event that starts tomorrow and concludes on Sunday.

Like year earlier the organize ROMSTAL European Mixed Doubles Championships will be played in Buzau in Sala Sporturilor “Romeo Iamandi”. The best of the action will be available LIVE and FREE on ETTU TV powered by LAOLA1.tv as well On Demand after the matches have been played.

Last year’s champions Elizabeta SAMARA and Andrei FILIMON will play again and they are looking for het-trick. Hunor SZOCS and Camelia POSTOACA, Constantin CIOTI and Iulia NECULA, Ovidiu IONESCU and Bernadette SZOCS, Lucian MUNTEANU and Cristina HIRICI will also represent host nation.